Method and apparatus for forming valves in bags



E. T. THlEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 sheetsrsheet 1 E. T. .THIEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 SheetsSheet 2 l lllllllm m HIIIII E. T. THIEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwwzntoz attoz way E. T. THIEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28. 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 5.

Jwuvntob Dec. 1, 1931. E. "r. THIEM 1,834,139

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 gwoemlov E. 1. "THIEM 1i334,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed Jan. 28, 1929 I 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Dec. 1, 1931. E. T. THIEM 1,334,139

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Filed Jan. 28, 1929 '10 Sheets-Sheet 'T Fig. 15

Dec. 1", 1931. E; T. THIEM' 1,834Q1 8l9? METHOD AND APP-ARK'TUS FOR: FORMING VAUVES IN BAGS Piiled Jan. 28, 1929 10 Shee.-.fs+She;&tt 8

E. T. THIEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 m n We E. T. THIEM 1,834,189

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Dec. 1, 1931.

Filed Jan. 28, 1929 10 SheetsSheet l0 .134 Fig Patented Dec. 1, 1931 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EUGENE T. THIEM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ST. REGIS PAPER. COMPANY. OF NEW YORK. N. Y.. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING VALVES IN BAGS Appliqation filed January 28, 1929. Se'rial No. 335,533.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming valves in bags. It is particularly directed to the tucking in of the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve therein when the end of the bag is closed, although some features of the invention may be applied to a similar formation of the valve in bags which do not have gusseted sides.

The invention relates to a method and apparatus similar to that set forth and claimed in a patent to Bates and Dorr, N 0. 1,682,107, issued August 28, 1928, and is principally directed to refinements and improvements upon that methodand apparatus.

The improvements particularly relate to the method and apparatus for positioning the bag length in operative relation to the valvefolding mechanism and to guide fingers which assist in directing the folds formed by the mechanism. Other features of the method and apparatus will appear as the description proceeds. 4

Throughout the several views of the drawin gs forming a part of this specification, parts are removed or broken away for purposes of illustration, and this fact may be understood in connection with the brief description of each view.

Figure 1 is a plan View of apparatus embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure I viewed from the bottom of that figure; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus viewed from the right of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a vertical section approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section of a detail; Fig. 6 is a detail of the discharging pusher; Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of a detail of the discharge pusher as shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a view ofthe same parts shown in Fig. 7, but in a different position; Fig. 9 is a vertical section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is a partial section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 2; Figs. 11 and 12 are enlarged detail views showing different positions of a vacuum cup illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 13 is a section approximately on the line 13-13 ofFig. 12;

Fig. 14 isa section of another portion of the vacuum cup connections; Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan View of the valve-folding mechanism; Fig. 16 is a partial'section on the line 1616 of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail elevation of the valver mechanism; Fig. 18 is a section on the line 1818 of Fig. 17;

Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are detail partially dia-' 5 grammatic views of successive positions of the parts during the feeding of the bag into position on the valver; Figs. 22, 23 and 24 are detail diagrammatic views illustrating different stages of the operation of the guide 0 fingers and tucking-in fingers during the folding-in of the valve; Fig. 25 isa detail sectional view on the line 25-25 of Fig. 1.

The mechanism constituting this invention may be mounted upon any suitable frame- 65 Work. In the drawings, it is indicated as bein mounted upon a frame generally designa ihd by and providing proper supports for the various working parts. ratus is means such as that illustrated in my copending application for apparatus for feeding bags, Serial N 0. 307,835, filed September 24, 1928, which is adapted to drop bag blanks 31 in succession upon a table 32. The bag 76 blank is provided with a gusset fold 33 and, in the form illustrated, has one corner exten'ded at 34, it being the chief purpose of this invention to tuck in this extended corner to form a valve.

Mounted at one end of the frame there' is a shaft 35 having thereon a gear 36 in mesh with a gear 37 on the end of a shaft 38 mounted longitudinally of the frame.

The appa- Mounted on shaft 38 midway of the frame there is a sprocket wheel 39 which drives a chain 40 running over a sprocket wheel 41 mounted on a shaft 42 which carries a spur gear 43 in mesh with a spur gear 44 on a shaft 45. Shaft 45 carries two large sprocket Wheels 46 over which there run bag-pushing chains 47. The other ends of the driving chains are mounted upon sprocket Wheels 48 mounted on a shaft 49 supported in brackets 50 extending from the side of the machine onwhich the valve-forming apparatus is mounted. In the construction shown, the pushing chains 47 carry two pairs of pushing lugs 51 and 52. The chains run in slots 53 in table 32, the pushing members 51 and 52 adapted to be fed by any suitable 70 extending above the top of the table so as shaft 57 and extending upward towards table 32. The upper end of lever 56 is connected a composite link 58, shown in detail in igure 5, to an arm 59 on shaft 60 mounted .in block 61. As shown in Fig. 5, link 58 comprises an attachment member 62 which is pivoted on' lever 56 and a rod 63sc'rewed into member62 and at the other end extending into a sleeve 64. Sleeve 64 has its end 65 split and threaded, the outside being shaped iconically so that this end 65 may be clamped upon rod 63 by means of a nut 66 screwed on the conical thread. The other end of sleeve 64 is screwed into a member 67 pivoted to arm 59. Extending upward from shaft 60 are positioning members 68. Block 61 is mounted adjustably in a manner which will be described later.

At an intermediate point, lever 56 is connected to one end of a link 69, the other end of which is pivoted to an arm 70 of a rock shaft 71. The upper end of rock shaft 71 has an arm 72 pivoted to a slide rod 73 on the end of which there is mounted apositioning finger 74 extending upward through a slot 75in table 32.

. Mountedupon shaft 38 adjacent to cam wheel'54 there is a cam wheel 76 having a cam groove 77 in which there runs a roller 78 on lever 79 fulcrumed on rod 57 and extending upward towards table 32. The upper end of lever 79 is connected by a link 80 to an arm 81 on a rock shaft 82. Fastened on rock shaft 82 there are pushing fingers 83. Rock shaft 82 is mounted in a block 84 sliding on the upper side of a bracket 85 mounted on the frame ust beneath table 32. There are slots 86 in table 32 through which fingers 83 are adapted to project and reciprocate in a manner which will be described later.

The above described parts have to do with the positioning of the bag in operative position in relation to-the valver and removing the bag from the'valver. While fingers 68 and 74 are positioning the bag in operative relation'with the valve-r, there is a member that holds the end of the bag down so that it lies flatly uponthe table and'members which open the gusset of the bag so that valve-forming members enter the gusset. These devices will be described'next.

Mounted upon shaft 35 there is a cam wheel 87 which operates a lever 88 fulcrumed on a shaft 89. The lever 88 has an arm extending to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, and 1 connected to the end of this arm there is a link 90 connected to an arm 91 extending from a rock shaft 92. Attached to the rock shaft 65 92 there is a hook-shaped member 93 having mally holds cam roller 102 in contact with the periphery of cam wheel 104 or against on'the end thereof an elongated member 94 adapted to press downward on the end of the bag when actuated by cam 87.

Upon a block 95 immediately beneath table 32 and adjacent the valver, there is a mounting for a vacuum cup 96. (See Figs. 10 to 16.) This vacuum cup is mounted directly upon a plate 97 pivoted at 98 to block 95 and the plate is connected by a link 98- to an arm 99 of a lever fulcr-umed at 100 and having 75 a downwardly extending arm 101 carrying v a cam roller 102 in position to be engaged by a cam 103 on the periphery of a cam wheel 104 mounted on shaft 38. A spring 105 mor cam 103. Link 98' is composed of two members joined by a slot 106 and bolt connection so that it is adjustable in length.

A screw 107 passes through a slot 108 in plate 97 into support 95, and limits the oscillation of plate 97. Vacuum cup 96 is connected by a passage 109 in plate 97 to a cham-- ber 110 which opens at the inner face of member 97 that slides against block 95. Plate 97 is held firmly against block 95 by a. spring 111 between plate 97 and the head of bolt 107. Block 95 is provided with a chamber 112 with which chamber 110 registers at certain intervals. A pipe 113 leads from chamber 112 to any suitable. means for exhausting air. Extending downward from chamber 110 in plate 97 there is a passage 114 to the end of which there is connected a stud pipe 115 on which there may be mounted one end of a flexible 10o hose 116.

Mounted on a bracket 131 there is a pivot member 118 for a block 119 having therein a passage 120. Into the upper end of passage 119 there is screwed a pipe 121 which is 1 hooked over and then downward and carries on its end a vacuum cup 122-adapted to be positioned above vacuum cup 96. The lower end ofpassage is connected to a stud pipe 123 upon which an end of hose 116 is slipped. 110 In the manner both vacuum cups 96 and 122 are connected to chamber 110 in plate 97.

Mounted upon shaft 57 there is a lever 124 having a cam roller 125 working in a groove 126 in cam wheel 126 mounted on shaft 38. 11 Through the upper end of lever 124 there slides a rod 127 having thereon fixed collars 128and 129, there being a spring 130 between the fend of lever 124 and collar 129. The other end of rod 127 is pivoted at 128' to an arm 120 129 on shaft 118. By this means vacuum cups 96 and 122 are oscillated by the operation of the cam projection 103 and groove 126 respectively.

In a bracket 131 there are mounted pivots 125 132 and 133 for clamping members 134 and 135. See Figs. 1, 3, 15, 16 and 17. The clamping ends of these clamping members are grooved at 136 to receive a spreading rod 137. Threaded on the end of rod 137 there is a 130 connection 138 to which there is pivoted a block 139 sliding in the forked end 140 of a lever 141 fulcrumed at 142. A link 143 pivoted intermediate of the length of lever 14? is connected at its other endto a lever 144 mounted on shaft 57 and operated by a roller 145- running in a cam groove 146 in a cam wheel 147.

Upper clamping member 134 has a downwardly projecting arm 148 having a pin and block 149 working in theforked end of an arm 150 extending upward from the lower clamping member, so that said members are forced to move simultaneously towards or away from a. bag placed between them. The lower clamping member has a downwardly extending arm 151 to which there is pivoted a link 152, the other end of which carries collars 153 and 154. A spring 155 is positioned around link 152 and against collar 154. The upper end of a lever 156 receives link 152 and is pressed against collar 153 by spring 155. Lever 156 carries a cam roller 157 running in a suitable groove in cam 104.

Adapted to enter the gusset fold of the bag are spreading wings 158 pivoted at 159 on bracket 131. Pins 160 project from the spreaders, and links 161 are pivoted to these pins and to a lever 162. A drive member 163 has one end pivoted to lever 162 and its other end forked and sliding over shaft 35. A cam roller 164 on member 163 runs in a groove in cam 165 and controls lever 162 and spreaders 158.

Mounted on a pivot 166 and adapted to swing between Spreaders 158 there is a tucking finger 167. The rear end of the-finger is provided with teeth 168 which mesh with the teeth of a rack bar 169. A lever 170 extending upward from the frame engages block 171 on rack bar 169. A link 172, connected to lever 170 midway of its length, is pivoted to the upper end of a lever 173 fulcrumed on shaft 89.. The lower end of lever 173 is actuated by a cam 174 on shaft 35.

On lever 162, beneath pin 175 on which links 161 are mounted, there are projected stops or lugs 176 and 177 which engage alternately a roller 178 on the end of a lever 179 fulcrumed at 180. The other end of lever 179 engages an arm 181 adjustably fixed on the lower end of a rock shaft 182. The upper end of shaft 182 carries an arm 183 having a downwardly turned end 184 on which there is mounted a bracket 185 carrying guiding fingers 186. A spring 187 normally holds bracket 185 in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 1 and 15, but allows it to yield and turn on end 184 when the fingers meet resistance.

At the left end of shaft 38 as viewed in Fig. 2 there is-a gear 188 meshing with a gear 189 which in turn engages a gear 190 on the end of a shaft 191 which carries a sprocket 192 driving a chain 193. By means of diagrammatically in Fig. 3 in position to close one end of a bag blank. Gear 189 is mounted in a frame 195 which is adjustable about shaft 38 so as to allow for the use of gears 190 of different sizes.

Bolts 196 passing through slots 197 in frame 195 hold it in adjusted position. By using a gear 190 of the required size, the valving mechanism can be driven at a speed to suit the constant speed of the sewing machine .wl1ich in turn will close bag blanks valved on this machine, the gear 190 being selected in accordance with the width of the blanks being valved.

Whenthe machine is to be adjusted for bag blanks of a different width, not only is gear 190 changed, but positioning fingers 68 are relocated.

Block 61 is supported on two rods 198 and 199 slidable in suitable supports on the frame. Rod 199 extends to the side of the frame where it terminates in a handle 200. After nut 66 has been loosened, block 61 may be adjusted to the desired position by sliding rod 199'in its supports, after which set screw 201 is tightened so that link 58 operates fingers 68 correctly in their new position.

It is obvious that finger 74 may be adjusted on rod 7 3 to bring the desired length of bag blank into position" against a stop 202 mounted upon a rod 203 adjustable on the frame so as to bring the end of the bag blank into correct relation with the valving apparatus.

With adjustments made for the size of blank to be operated upon, the apparatus operates as follows.

A bag blank may be placed upon the table in any suitable manner, but apparatus disclosed in my copending application for apparatus for feeding bags, Ser. No. 307,835, filed September 24, 1928, discloses an apparatus particularly adapted for this purpose, by which successive bag blanks can be dropped accurately in timed relation with the valving apparatus. In Fig. 4, a member 204 is illustrated having a surface 205 against which the edge of the bag may rest when it is dropped, so as to guide the bag into proper position on the table. It will be understood that similar guides may be placed on other sides of thebag, as is shown in the above-identified application.

By whatever means the blank is fed to the moved against the gusset folded portion of I the bag, compressing it slightly, so that the cups make good contact with the surfaces of the bag. As plate 97 carrying cup '96 is swung into the position in which it is shown in Figs. 12 and 19, vacuum chamber 110 is brought into registery with chamber 112 in block 95 and thereby cup 96 is connected through pipe 113 to any suitable means for evacuating airtherefrom. At the same time cup 122 is connected to the same evacuating I means through pipe 116 and passage 114.

Due t o'the elongation of the slot in the side of chamber 110, illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, this connection continues until the cups have been separated far enough to open up the gusset fold. Just as the cups start to separate, finger 137 is operated to move towards the bag, and its shaped end enters between the vfolds of the gusset just as the.

wings 158 readily enter the gusset of the bag as it moves against the stops. Stops 202 and 204 are so located that a bag pushed into position thereagainst is correctly located with respect to the valving mechanism, and it will be readily seen that each bag is moved to the same position with respect in the valving mechanism, so that the mechanism acts uniformly on successive bags. Finger 137 withdraws as the bag is moved towards the valving device, but remains in the gusset fold until after the edges of the gusset fold have passed respectively, above and beneath spreading wings 158.

Lever 88 is oscillated by cam 87 and moves member 94 over the end of the bag and downward, so as to compel the end of the bag to lie flat upon the table, but not so as to act as a clamp.

WVhen the bag has been moved to proper position, as described above, clamp plates 134 and 135 are brought together so as to clamp the bag firmly between them. The plates are spring mounted, so that they can press against bags of different thicknesses without the necessity of adjustment.

Immediately after the bag is clamped in position as described above, the spreading wings are spread apart as indicated in Fig. 22. Just before the spreading of the wings is completed, lug 177 encounters roller 17 8 and moves fingers 186 from their full line position in Fig. 15 tow-'ards'their dotted line position in that figure. At the same time, cam 174 through lever 173, connecting rod 172 and lever 170, operates tucking linger 167. Tucking finger 167 operates with fingers 186, as illustrated in Fig. 23, guiding the end of the valve extension 34 so that the upper and ation of spring 187, which furnishes the necessary resistanceto give the fingers the desired wiping action against the end of i the valve flap as it is being folded in.

After .the flap is thus tucked in, lever 162 is given a reverse movement, which returns the spreading wings to their horizontal position. Just before the completion of this movement, lug 176 encounters roller 178 and removes fingers 186 from the end of the bag. The spreading wings are released, so as not to press the folded in material between them,

and the tucking finger is returned towards the position in which-it is shown in Fig. 15, andclamps 134 and 135 are separated, so that the bag is free to move away from the valving mechanism. Then lugs 51 on chains 47 encounter the edge of the bag and move it towards the right, as viewed inFig. 3. It will be understood that in the construction shown, chains47 are run continuously and are so spaced that they allow a bag blank to be dropped in position on the table after one air of lugs 51 have shoved the preceding blank away from valving position, and allow for the positioning and valvin of this next blank before the other pair of lugs 51 encounter the same.

Bracket 50 in which shaft 49 is mounted has a slide member 207 resting upon the side rail 208 of frame 30 and held in place thereon by guides 209. A screw 210 operates through a lug 211 on brackets 50 and bears against the frame so that bracket 50 may be forced outward from the frame to maintain the pushing chains as tight as desired.

Pushing lingers 83 are reciprocated through such a path that when they are raised from the position in which they are shown in Figs. 1 and 7, by the movement to the right of rod 80, they encounter the edge of the bag discharged by pushers 51 and push it until it is fed to the feeding mechanism of sewing head 194. The movement of puslv ing fingers 51 is comparatively rapid so that the bag is removed quickly from its valving position after the valve is formed, to make room for another bag. The motion of fingers 83 is comparatively slow, bein preferably substantially the same as that o the feeding means for the sewing machine, so that the bag is fed to the sewing machine at substantially the same rate that it is moved therethrough, when narrow bags are being operated upon. This avoids the irregularity in the which would result from a speedy movement of the bag which continued until it entered the feeding means of the sewing machine. This comparatively rapid movement of the bag away from valving position and comparatively slow final movement of the bag to the sewing machine is one of the important features of this invention.

The parts are arranged preferably so that fingers 83 push a narrow bag just to the feeding means of the sewinghead. When wider bags are valved and sewed, the gears are arranged so that fewer valves are formed for a given length of scam sewed by the sewing head, and accordingly all parts of the valver, including fingers 83, move more slowly relative to the speed of the sewing head. Fingers 83 continue to move in their pushing direction after such a wider bag has entered the sewing machine, but as the fingers move slower than the feeding means of the sewing head when such a bag is being sewed, said feeding means moves the bag forward away from, and

. independently of, the fingers. Accordingly different widths of bags may be valved and sewed by substitution of gears 190 without adjustment of fingers 83.

Another important feature of this invention is the arrangement for opening the gusset and placing it upon the spreading fingers of the. valve-forming apparatus. It will be noted that by the construction shown, the gusset-is first opened by vacuum means, then a guide finger is placed in position to maintain the gusset opened and the finger is moved with he'bag and maintains the gusset open to sufficient evtentso that it is guided over the spreading wings. The vacuum means for opening the gusset operates before the start of the movement of the bag with respect to the vacuum cups while the vacuum is being applied. The movement of the bag takes place after it is thus opened by the cups and after t va uum is broken so that it does not constitute anv drag on the movement of the bag. The guide finger withdraws with the bag so that after it has guided the gusset Hold into position between the clamping members and outside of the spreading wings it does not interfere'with the operation of the valving mechanism. Another important feature ofv the inven tion is theaction of fingers 186. It will be noted that tucking finger 167 presses inward on the end of the bag substantially along the median line of the gusset fold and that fingers 186 nter the end of the bag and furnish yielding resistance to the movement of the wall of the bag symmetrically placed upon opposite sides of tucking finger 167 so that the fold lines of the valve thus formed are along symmetrical lines.

While the invention is designed primarily for operation with. gusseted bags, it will be readily understood that various features of the bag feeding means can be utilized with non-gusseted bags, and that if there were no gusset fold in the bag, the sides of the bag could be spread apart and the corner tucked in by a finger pressing inward along the median line and tucking the wall in between such fingers as 186 which would insure the symmetrical placing of the folds.

While specific details of one embodiment of the invention have been disclosed, it will be readily understood that various modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of forming a valve in a bag, which consists in spreading apart the sides of the bag at one corner thereof and tucking in the corner between the spread-apart sides by force applied inwardly along the median line of said corner while guiding the fold lines by yielding force applied symmetrically on opposite sides of'said median line and urging the material of the bag outward.

2. A method of forming a valve in a gusseted bag which consists in spreading apart the sides of the bag near one corner so as to substantially straighten the gusset at that corner, tucking the end of the gusset in between the spreadgpart sides by force applied along the median line of the gusset and while so applying force guiding the fold lines by yielding force applied symmetrically corner, tucking the end of the gusset in between the spread-apart sides by force applied along the median line of the gusset, and while so applying force restraining the movement of the sides of the gusset by yielding resistgnce symmetrically applied from within the 4. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a 'gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag, aguide rod adjacent said member, and means to reciprocate the rod to enter the gusset of a bag approaching said mechanism and guide it into position on said member.

5. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag, means to move a bag nism and to Withdraw the rod while maininto operative relation with the mechanism, .125.

taining it in guidingrelation with the gusset until said member enters the gusset.

6. In apparatus for tucking-in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to enter the gusset of a bag, a support for a bag adjacent said mechanism, means to partially open the gusset of a bag on said support, a guide rod, means to reciprocate said guide rod to cause it to enter said partially open gusset and then withdraw towards said mechanism, and means to move the bag with the withdrawing rod until said member enters the gusset.

7-. Apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag, means for applying vacuum to the sides of the bag to partially open the gusset, a guide, means to project the guide rod into the partially opened gusset, and means to move the bag, guided by said guide rod, into position with its gusset embracing said member.

8. Apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag,

a support for a bag adjacent said member, a

vacuum cup adjacent the position of a gusset of a bag on said support, a guide rod, bagmoving means, and mechanism operating said vacuum cup, guide rod and bag-moving means in timed relation to partially open the gusset of a bag, cause the guide rod to enter the gusset, and move the bag, guided by said rod, into position with its gusset embracing said member. 7

9. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted'bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to 'enter a gussetof a bag, a support for a bag adjacent said mechanism, vacuum cups located on opposite sides of the gusset of a bag on said support and adjacent said mechanism, means to move said cups towards and from the bag, means applying vacuum to the cups until they have separated for a distance after contacting the bag and for then breaking the vacuum, means timed with said vacuum-applying means to move the bag into position with said member entering the gusset immediately after said vacuum has been broken, and means to maintain the gusset opened after the vacuum is broken until said member enters the gusset.

10. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag, a support. fora bag adjacent said mechanism, vacuum cups located on opposite sides of the gusset of a bag on said support and adjacent said mechanism, means to move said cups towards and from the bag, means applying vacuum to the cups until they have separated for a distance after contacting the bag and for then break ing the vacuum, means timed with said vacuum-applying means to move the bag into position with said member entering the gusset immediately after said vacuum has'been broken, and means to guide the gusset opened by said cups into position on said member.

' 11. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising a member adapted to enter a gusset of a bag, vacuum cups on opposite sides of the gusset of a bag approaching said mechanism, means to operate said cups to partially open the gusset and to break the vacuum in the cups to release the bag before the gusset embraces said member, and means to guide the opened gusset from the cups to said member.

12. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising clamps adapted to grip a gusset of a bag and a member adapted to enter said gusset, means to partially open the gusset while it is at rest in a position adj acent said mechanism, and a guide rod adapted to enter the partially-opened gusset and guide it into position between the clamps and over said member.

13. In apparatus for tucking. in the corner of a gusseted bag to form a valve, tucking mechanism comprising clamps adapted to grip a gusset of a bag and a member adapted to enter said gusset, means to partially open the gusset while it is at rest in'a position adj acent said mechanism, and a guide rod adapted to enter the partially-opened gusset and guide it into position between the clamps v and over said member, said guide rod being mounted reciprocablv between said clamps.

14. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve. means to spread apart the sides of a bag adjacent one corner, means to tuck the corner in. between the spread-apart sides, and guide means adapted to enter the corner of the bag and guide the folding of the corner as it is tucked in.

15. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, means to spread apart the sides of a bag adjacent one corner, means to tuck the corner in between the spread-apart sides, a guide, and mechanism connected to operate in timed relation .with

said tucking means and adapted to insert said guide into the corner of the bag to guide the folding thereof during the operation of the tucking means.

16. In apparatus for tuckingin. the corner of a bag to form a valve,-.means. to spread apart the sides of a bag adjacent one corner, a finger, means to move the finger to, tuck in said corner between the spread-apart sides, spaced guides, andmeans to move the guides into the corner of the bag on opposite sides of the path of said finger to guide the folding of the corner whilethe finger is tucking it in.

17. In apparatus for tucking in the corner sides'of the bag,

of a gusset-folded bag to form a valve, means.

to open the gusset fold adjacent said corner, a finger, means to move the finger to contact the end of the gusset fold along its median line and tuck it in between the spread-apart sides of the bag, and a guide adapted to enter the corner of the bag and guide the folding thereof during the action of said finger.

18. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusset-folded bag to form a valve, means to open the gusset fold adjacent said corner, a finger, means to move the finger to contact the end of the gusset fold along its median line and tuck it in between the spread-apart sides of the bag. a guide, and means to move the guide into the corner of the bag in timed relation with the movement of said finger to guide from within the folding in of the corner.

' 19. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a gusset-folded bag to form a valve, means to open the gusset fold adjacent said corner, a finger, means to move the finger to contact the end of the gusset fold along its median line and tuck it in between the spread-apart guide members, and means to move said members into the corner of the bag in timed relation with the movement ofthe finger and on opposite sides of the path of said finger.

20. In apparatus for tucking in the corner.

of a gusset-folded bag to form a valve, means to open the gusset fold adjacent said corner, a finger; means to move the finger to contact the end of the gusset fold along its median line and tuck it in between the spread-apart sides of the bag, guide members, and means to move said members into the corner of the bag in timed relation with the movement of the finger and on opposite sides of the path of said finger, said guides being yieldingly mounted so as to furnish yielding resistance from within to the tucking-in of the corner.

21. In apparatus for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, means to spread apart the sides of a bag adjacent one corner, means to tuck the corner in between the spread-apart sides, and guide means adapted to enter the cornerof the bag and guide the folding of the corner as it is tucked in, said guide being yieldingly mounted so as to furnish yielding resistance from within to the tucking-in of the corner.

22. In combination, mechanism for tucking inthe corner of a bag to form a valve, a support for a bag adjacent said mechanism, means to move the bag over said support into operative relation with said mechanism, and a guide adapted to hold the bag fiat on said support as it approaches said operative position.

23. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, a support adjacent said mechanism and adapted to receive a bag dropped from above, means to move the bag from the position into which it is dropped to operative relation with said mechanism, a guide'adapted to hold the bag flat on the support as it approaches said operative position, and means to move the guide from its guiding position ,to a position out of the path of a bag being dropped.

24. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, a support adjacent said mechanism and adapted to receive a bag dropped from above, means to move the bag from the position into which it is dropped to operative relation with said mechanism, a guide adapted to hold the bag flat on the support as it approaches said operative position, means to move the guide from its guiding position to a position out of the path of a bag being dropped, and means to remove the bag horizontally from said operative position to a position out of the path of a succeeding. bag being dropped.

25. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag. a); form a valve, a support adjacent said mechanism and'adapted to receive a bag dropped 1mm above, means to move the bag from the {position into which it is dropped to operative relation with said mechanism, and n1eans. 'to" remove the bag horizontally from said operative position to a position out of the path of a" succeeding bag being dropped. w i i 26. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to-form a valve, a support adjacent said mechanism and adapted to receive a bag dropped fromzabove,'means to move the bag from the position into which it is dropped to operative relation with said mechanism, a sewing machine adjacent said support, means to move the bag at a high rate of speed from said operative position to a position out of the path of a succeeding bag being dropped and adjacent said machine, and means to move the bag at a lesser rate of speed from its last said position to and through the sewing machine.

27. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, a support for a bag in operative relation with said mechanism, a sewing machine, an endless conveyor having lugs thereon, said conveyor and lugs being positioned so as to move a bag away from said mechanism towards said machine, and a pusher moving in timed relation with said conveyor and at a slower rate of speed and adapted to move a bag from the position in which it is left by the conveyor to operative relation with said machine.

28. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, a support for a bag in operative relation with said mechanism, a sewing machine, an endless conveyor having lugs thereon, said conveyor and lugs being positioned so as to move a bag away from said mechanism towards said machine, and a pusher moving in timer relation with said conveyor and at a slower rate of speed and adapted to move a bag from the position in which it is left by the conveyor to operative relation with said machine, the machine being timed to sew a seam at a speed at least as great as the speed at which said pusher moves the bag.

29. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner of a bag to form a valve, a

support for a bag in operative relation with said mechanism, a sewing machine, an endless conve or havin -lu s thereon said conve or and lugs being positioned so as to move a bag away from said mechanism towards sald machine, and a pusher moving in timed relation with said conveyor and at a slower rate of speed and adapted to move a bag from the position in which it is left by the conveyor to operative relation with said machine, and a change-speed device between said mechanism, conveyor and pusher and said machine, said device being adapted to move said pusher at substantially the same speed as said machine sews aseam, when adjusted for narrow bags, and to move said pusher relatively slower when adjusted for wider bags.

30. In combination, mechanism for tucking in the corner-of a bag to form a valve, a support for a bag in operative relation with said mechanism, a sewing machine, means for conveying bags from said support to said machine, and connections between said ma.- chine and said mechanism and conveying means driving them in timed relation, said connections comprising a gear which may be changed to change the speed of the mecha-' nism and conveying means relative to the speed of thesewln machine.

In testimony w ereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

EUGENE T. THIEM. 

